Clinton Township man sustains severe injuries from illegal firework

A Clinton Township man was recovering Sunday from severe head and facial injuries he suffered when he ignited what authorities say was an illegal firework during a Fourth of July holiday celebration in the backyard of his house.

The man was identified by neighbors as Nicholas Burchett, who was hosting a party for friends and family at his house on Quinn Road west of Harper Avenue on Thursday night when the incident occurred.

Police and fire personnel were called to the house about 10 p.m. after receiving a 911 call from people at the event, according to Clinton Township police Sgt. Curt Randall.

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"Our officers were told the homeowner was bending over to light a firework, there was an explosion and he dropped to the ground. It appears the mortar exploded in his face," Randall said Sunday.

Burchett, 35, was rushed to McLaren Macomb hospital in Mount Clemens where he was initially listed in critical condition. He was reported to be in fair condition on Sunday, said hospital spokeswoman Diane Kish.

The wounds were so severe, doctors told police they feared Burchett may be left in a vegetative state.

A man answering the door at Burchett's house declined to comment.

Federal agents and township police and fire officials are conducting an joint investigation into the incident. Agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were called to the scene late Thursday and confiscated the unexploded fireworks.

Police said the 3- and 6-inch mortars that were found at the house are illegal to use without a federal explosives license. The mortars were purchased from a fireworks stand in front of Stahl's Prime Meat & Deli in Clinton Township.

Store owner Gary Stahl said ATF agents stopped by his store on July 2 and notified him that some of his fireworks stock was illegal. Stahl said he closed the stand for the season right away.

"We stopped selling the stuff as soon as the feds came by," Stahl said. "That was two days before the Fourth of July, but who knows when this guy bought the stuff from us."

Criminal charges could be filed against both the store and the victim, but the investigation is continuing.

Burchett is no stranger to the police department.

According to Michigan Department of Corrections online records, Burchett has past convictions for unarmed robbery, felony in possession of a firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon, delivery of controlled substances, and maintaining a drug house.

In another local holiday fireworks accident, three adults and an 8-year-old girl were injured on Thursday night in Sterling Heights. Police said a projectile tube tipped over and shot into a garage where the people were.

The girl was taken to Henry Ford Macomb Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The person who set up the fireworks received a violation, according to Sterling Heights police.